Climate, environment and health

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Climate, environment and health

Outdoor and indoor air pollution

Indoor and outdoor air pollution is the most significant environmental risk factor for public health. The monitoring and research activities are aimed at identifying effective actions to reduce the exposure of the population and to control the emission sources.

The main health problems are represented by pollution in urban areas due to the high density and large numbers of the population, while for indoor environments (homes, offices, schools, hospitals, gyms, means of transport, etc.) high exposure is due to the greater number of daily hours spent in these environments.

The Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS, the National Institute of Health in Italy) is engaged in the study of these problems and also carries out health assessments for preventive purposes for areas with the presence of industrial plants.